Update: Sunday, May 23 - I will write a new blog entry on this subject later this week, because there is some research I need to do, plus the current focus is on the Comp Plan review on Tuesday, May 25.
But, here is a summary of what happened in last week's Impact Fee Committee meeting:
Among other recommendations, the Lake County Impact Fee Committee, chaired by the Lake County Democratic Party Chairwoman, Nancy Hurlburt, decided to not increase current TRANSPORTATION impact fees as recommended by a consultant's survey. Instead, the committee wants to hold the transportation impact fees at the same level as currently used, but recommend the County Board seek alternative taxes and fees to... make up the missing 50% of the forecasted fees needed for the future. They will recommend increased gas taxes, property taxes, etc.
How did the head of the County Democrats get in charge of the impact fee committee when all five County Commissioners are registered Republicans? ( I will find out...)
Builders have been lobbying to shift impact fees from new construction to other sources, and this is a start.
There are several different types of impact fees in Lake County, which are millage rates levied on NEW construction to finance increased infrastructure needs due to the population growth caused by increased housing and commercial centers. The infrastructure includes roads, libraries, firefighting facilities, schools and parks.
And, based upon the consulting study approved last week by the Impact Fee committee, ALL the five impact fees will be increased up 50-100% or more from the current millage rates established in 2007 if the Board approves today's impact fee recommendations at a future Board meeting, so hold on to your wallets. The Board will not consider this information in public meetings until maybe late June, so you can wait for our more detailed analysis this coming week.
Details will be posted in a new blog posting next week, including my amazement at the decision process used, and I compare it to what a corporation would do.
vj
